I’ve been told I’m living in a dream world many times in my young life. After seeing “Inception,” I’ll take that as a compliment. With mesmerizing visuals and a heterogeneous cast of characters, “Inception” lands itself in a league of it’s own, becoming the first original blockbuster in years.

I couldn’t have been more excited for the screening of “Inception.” I sat in my seat, which felt like an aging La-Z-Boy you’ve grown so fond of you that you just can’t bring yourself to throw out, and I was ready to go into a cinematic coma for the ensuing two and a half hours. As I slipped into said coma, I was introduced to two of the films main characters, Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). These are the men that physically intrude dreams to extract information from one’s subconscious. It sounds more than far-fetched, but Nolan’s writing is so convincing, it almost seems possible.

After the short introduction showing us the basic idea of this entirely complex film, we are introduced to the plot — and what a great plot it is. Although Cobb is the best at what he does, he finds himself with a tough decision when a powerful client offers him a nearly impossible job. Extracting ideas from one’s dream is hard enough, but now he is asked to plant an idea in one. This is called Inception, hence the name of the film.

As we know, there’s always a catch, and the catch here is if Cobb completes this job, his tainted record is wiped clean, allowing him to return home to the United States and ultimately his children. After assembling a small crew including Ariadne (Ellen Page), a young and talented architect of dreams, and a shifty impersonator named Eames (Tom Hardy), the crew set in motion a plan that is so epic, you can’t believe someone of this earth actually thought it up.

Don’t read too far into this statement but the one thing that interferes with a blockbuster film winning an Academy Award is the integrity of the story. When it comes down to it, writing is the most important aspect of the entertainment industry. What sets Christopher Nolan apart from other big-budget filmmakers is that he is a writer first and a director second. You can’t make a great film without a great story and with “Inception” Nolan did both.

The cast of “Inception” is second to none. DiCaprio has been on top for years and shows no signs of falling off. His intense yet in control style is perfect for any dramatic role thrown his way.

Using indie king and queen Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Ellen Page in this larger-than-life film is a decision that I enjoy thoroughly. In a film where the characters interact in a world that none of us could ever dream of — no pun intended — you need actors who are able to hone down on their skills and present us with a genuine performance, and they do just that.

I know it sounds like I’m overreacting but “Inception” is revelatory in a way. With any luck, we will soon see the extinction of mind-numbing money makers designed to market sex and style, and the birth of something great — films that are well thought out and made with a certain passion that only great storytellers bear. “Inception” is undoubtedly one of the best films of the year and I think when 2010 comes to its final days, that statement will still hold true.